IT
1.3
THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE OFFICE) WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED ON 1 SEPTEMBER 1984, UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, SEPARATE FROM THE ORDINARY MACHINERY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. IS HEADED BY THE COMMISSIONER WHO IS REQUIRED TO REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE IS TO PROVIDE HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT, THROUGH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, WITH AN ACCURATE ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF OPINION IN HONG KONG ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT, AND ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS SET OUT THEREIN.
1.4
TO THIS END, THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE
OFFICE REQUIRE IT TO :
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
RECEIVE ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT IN WRITING DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE, OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH WELL ESTABLISHED AND FAMILIAR CONSULTATIVE CHANNELS IN HONG KONG
AND THE MEDIA:
COLLATE, SUMMARIZE, ANALYSE AND ASSESS ALL SUCH VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT:
SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR A REPORT WHICH WILL INCLUDE FACTUAL SUMMARIES OF ALL VIEWS
EXPRESSED AND AN OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF ACCEPTANCE BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG
KONG OF THE DRAFT AGREEMENT: AND
CARRY OUT SUCH DIRECTIONS AS THE GOVERNOR MAY FROM TIME TO TIME GIVE, TO EFFECT THESE
PURPOSES.
THE OFFICE WAS REQUIRED TO ALLOW ACCESS TO EVERY ASPECT OF ITS WORK BY THE MONITORING TEAM APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF
STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.
THE ROLE AND GENERAL APPROACH
1.5
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF SEPTEMBER, PRIOR TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER, THE OFFICE MADE PREPARATIONS FOR THE TASK BEFORE IT BY DEVISING THE MODUS OPERANDI TO BE ADOPTED FOR THE EXERCISE. THE OFFICE CAME INTO FULL OPERATION ON 26 SEPTEMBER 1984, THE DATE ON WHICH THE WHITE PAPER WAS PUBLISHED IN HONG KONG. IT HAS A COMPLEMENT OF
SOME FIFTY STAFF, INCLUDING A SMALL COMPUTER UNIT AND A TEAM OF TRANSLATORS, SECONDED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE AND DRAWN FROM DIFFERENCT DEPARTMENTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF WERE TAKEN ON TO DEAL WITH SUDDEN
APP.1 INCREASES IN WORK LOAD. AN ORGANIZATION CHART IS AT APPENDIX
1.
4-
SECRET
/1.6.